The DCU "Think Science" Challenge
Explore rapid methods of disease analysis with Dublin City University (DCU) and NSHSS

DCU and NSHSS are inviting potential future scientists to develop and share ideas

Some of the major threats facing us today are infectious diseases as they have the potential to become world-wide problems. Have you recently read about new and innovative methods of analyzing some of the diseases presently occurring in your own or other countries? Do you have ideas about how science may contribute in developing new rapid methods for disease detection and analysis?

If you would you like to share your ideas on how rapid methods of disease analysis might contribute to successfully fighting:

1. a disease prevalent in your geographical region,
2. a disease facing people all over the world, or
3. a disease which scientists are currently battling

- then Dublin City University (DCU) and the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) invite you to share your ideas. DCU and NSHSS, under leadership of Claes Nobel, are challenging high school students to generate innovative science.

We are looking for high school students to 'Think Science' and share their ideas on how science might contribute to analyzing diseases using rapid detection methods. Ideas should be relevant to problems contemporary scientists are encountering. NSHSS have teamed up with Dublin City University to identify high school students with an interest in this area. One of the main winners will be brought to Dublin to spend one week at Dublin City University to find out more about this exciting area at Ireland's most innovative and 'forward-thinking' universities.

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) and DCU are offering an academic competition for NSHSS members to showcase their ideas, research, and creative solutions for the rapid detection and analysis of contemporary diseases. This global competition is open to all NSHSS members. There will be two main prizes, one for current high school students who will be aged 18 by June 1st, 2010 - this winner will be brought to Dublin, Ireland, on an 'expenses-paid' trip to interact with scientists at Dublin City University working in related areas - and a cash prize for students under 18 years of age at that date. There will be additional cash prizes for some of the best ideas presented.

Applicants should develop a concept paper of five to eight pages identifying the disease and outlining the selected rapid method(s) for its detection and analysis and they are particularly encouraged to discuss new and innovative approaches. Completed papers should be submitted by October 31th, 2009, to The National Society of High School Scholars.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

For examples of rapid disease detection research projects at DCU, visit http://www.bdi.ie/Diamond/pro1.html.